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Watching your phone or tablet steadily run out of power when you're nowhere near an outlet is stressful. But there's an easy solution: a portable battery or power bank. They are available in various sizes and capacities, and can include handy features such as fast charging and multiple ports. We've been writing about cell phones for more than 30 years, so we know all about phone battery tech and what types of portable chargers are most worth your money. Our picks below cover a broad range of prices and capabilities, so at least one should meet your needs. Be sure to scroll past our recommendations for a buying guide that details everything you need to keep in mind during your search.
Our Top Tested Picks
Anker Nano Power Bank
Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank with Qi2
Elecom Nestout Rugged Power Bank
UGreen Wireless Magnetic External Battery
Anker Laptop Power Bank
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- RELATED:
- Best Wireless Chargers for Android or iPhone
- Best MagSafe Chargers
- Best Fast iPhone Chargers
- Best Apple Wireless Chargers
EDITORS' NOTE
July 29, 2026: With this update, we added the UGreen Wireless Magnetic External Battery. Our remaining recommendations are unchanged and have been vetted for currency and availability.
The Anker Nano Power Bank offers high-end features, such as Power Delivery for rapid 45W charging and both USB-A (up to 22.5W) and USB-C ports—all at a reasonable price. It can charge up to three devices at once, though at a reduced rate (15W) per device.
People who need to recharge quickly: This 10,000mAh charger has ample capacity, so it's more than enough for those who need extra power during the day, and it charges a single device at a speedy 30W.
Light packers: The charger packs a powerful punch in a tiny package, making it easy to slip into a pocket, handbag, or backpack. It even has a retractable USB-C cable in case you forget yours.
If you liked the old-school MagSafe Battery Pack, Belkin's BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank connects just as easily to your iPhone. This MagSafe-compatible battery supports wireless charging speeds up to 15W and includes a built-in stand for propping up your phone. It also charges any Qi2-compatible device and comes in three capacities: 5,000mAh, 8,000mAh, and 10,000mAh. Keep in mind, however, that higher-capacity batteries are thicker and heavier.
Apple MagSafe fans: If you want to recharge your iPhone on the go without wires, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank can get you through the day. Other portable batteries on this list can keep your phone going longer, but none are as convenient.
Mobile video watchers: The included stand allows you to charge your iPhone while catching up on a TV show or movie.
Although it resembles a canteen, the Elecom Nestout Rugged Power Bank is actually a rugged 15,000mAh battery. It features an IP67 rating, which means it is completely protected from dust and can withstand immersion in approximately three feet of water. It has also been drop-tested using US military specs.
Contractors, hikers, and rugged-tech fans: If your work or hobbies take you to wet or dusty environments, this is the portable charger for you. It's designed to withstand drops, dust, and water, and it has sufficient capacity to recharge most phones multiple times.
The portable UGreen Wireless Magnetic External Battery lets you charge your phone wirelessly, thanks to its 10,000mAh battery and integrated charging pad (15W). It also includes legacy USB-A and USB-C Power Delivery ports for wired charging at 20W.
Fans of wireless charging: If you enjoy the convenience of wireless charging and need to keep multiple devices running on the go, this battery makes a lot of sense. A built-in stand lets you keep using your phone while it charges, helping avoid downtime.
Frequent travelers: The stand makes it easy to put your devices on a bedside table, it folds flat for portability, and because it can charge your AirPods, too, it means one less cable to travel with.
The Anker Laptop Power Bank has a capacity of 25,000mAh, but more importantly, it can deliver 100W of power from a single port. That means it can charge larger, more power-hungry devices, such as laptops, just as effortlessly as it can juice up a phone or tablet. It can charge up to four devices and even comes with built-in cables. If you need even more capacity and wattage, Anker also makes the 27,000mAh/250W Anker Prime Power Bank, but it's pricer at $179.99.
Digital nomads: If you often need to charge a laptop when you're nowhere near an outlet, this 25,000mAh backup battery can help lower your stress levels while increasing your laptop’s battery charge.
People with multiple devices: The Anker can charge up to four devices simultaneously via one USB-A and three USB-C connections, and can charge at a maximum of 100W using a single port (although this will be reduced when charging multiple devices). The built-in display makes it easy to see how many watts each port is delivering.
What Size Backup Battery Do You Need?
These days, "small" portable batteries have a capacity of around 5,000mAh, which means they easily fit in your pocket and have enough power to fully top up your phone once.
Meanwhile, a 10,000mAh battery can give many of today’s flagship phones about two full charges. A 20,000mAh battery can charge two phones twice or a phone twice and a tablet once. Some power banks have enough juice to power laptops. Of course, a higher capacity often translates to a heavier, larger, and more expensive battery.
Ultimately, it’s best to assess your typical needs before making a purchase. If your phone hits the red zone by mid-afternoon and you only need enough juice to get you to the end of the workday, a 5,000mAh battery should be plenty.
What's the Difference Between Power Input and Output?
Generally speaking, you charge the battery itself via USB-C (input). Speeds differ depending on the battery you choose.
Many batteries still include a standard USB-A port (output). This is for plugging in USB-A-to-Lightning or USB-A-to-USB-C cables for charging your iPhone or Android device. In many cases, the USB-C port used for charging the battery can also serve as an output. This is called Power Delivery. Some batteries include built-in output cables, so you don't have to worry about another wire.
The most important thing is to match the battery’s output to your phone’s input. For example, if you have an iPhone, make sure the battery has a built-in USB-C or Lightning connector, or that it supports the cable you need.
Larger batteries with higher capacities may include multiple ports to support simultaneous input and output. For example, you may see two USB-A or two USB-C ports.
What Is Fast Charging?
Another factor to consider is how quickly a power bank can charge your device. Battery output is measured in voltage and amperage. Amperage (or current) is the amount of electricity that flows from the battery to the connected device, while voltage is the amount of potential energy. Multiplying volts by amps yields wattage, which measures total power. To make devices charge faster, manufacturers either vary the voltage or boost the amperage.
Today’s devices support a wide range of rapid-charging technologies, such as Qualcomm Quick Charge, USB Power Delivery (PD), or proprietary fast-charge systems like OnePlus’ SuperVooc.
Quick Charge works by increasing voltage rather than amperage. This standard typically allows you to charge supported phones to 50% capacity in 5 minutes, which is especially helpful when you need power in a pinch.
Two compatible devices with Power Delivery can negotiate the fastest charging option available based on the charger, cable, and circuitry. It also allows power to flow in both directions.
The most common phones (those in Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy lineups) support charging rates of up to 45W. It’s best to look for batteries that get as close as possible to your phone’s maximum charging rate.
Is Pass-Through Charging Safe?
Pass-through charging is another feature to consider; with it, you can charge your device and a portable power bank simultaneously. That's convenient if both your phone and backup battery are running out of power. You shouldn't encounter any safety issues if the manufacturer of the portable battery you buy advertises pass-through charging as a feature; however, the power output to your phone or tablet may be slower in this mode.
How Does Wireless Charging Work?
Wireless charging has become popular because it lets you power compatible devices without a cable. Qi is the dominant charging standard for compatible Android phones (up to 15W), while Apple iPhones use MagSafe charging (up to 25W). iPhones will also charge wirelessly on Qi chargers (7.5W) and Qi2 chargers (15W).
Some battery makers have built Qi or MagSafe-compatible wireless charging into the surfaces of their portable batteries. Such batteries mean you can leave the cables at home.
Should You Buy a Battery Case Instead of a Power Bank?
If you often forget to carry your backup battery when you need it most, consider a dedicated battery case instead. These cases combine the portability and protection of a case with extra battery capacity to keep your phone fully charged at all times.
There are several drawbacks. First, they have limited additional capacity. Second, they are limited to the number of phones they support (mostly iPhones, Galaxies, and Pixels). Third, you can't charge much else with them. Stand-alone chargers might also allow you to charge a smartwatch or wireless headphones.
The Best Wireless Chargers
Why fumble around for a charging cable when you can rest your phone on a wireless charging pad? Whether you're an Android user or an iPhone fan, check out our roundups of the best wireless chargers and the best MagSafe chargers to help you cut the cord.
